AGE( it is just a number)
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Episode 7
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Feelings
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Hazel Dakota
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It has been five days since I started working in the Castillo mansion and guess what! It is alre-ady weekend !
Returning to the room , I towelled off and dressed hurriedly in a pink go-wn
I stared at my reflection in the mirror and shook my head in self pity
The go-wn was alre-ady faded ma-king it look like a rag
I sighed softly
It will soon be okay Hazel. I as-sured myself
Just then , my phone rang and on checking the caller, it was my mum
I received it
Hello mum! I greeted first
hello Hazel! how are you? She asked , sounding so excited as I smiled lightly .. I mean why won’t she be excited when she will be visiting the hospital for the first time today
I am fine mum . I answered
Good! So when will you be coming over , Alexia and I will soon be leaving for the hospital or should we wait for you?
No Mum! I will join you both there .
Alright! She agreed and ended the call ……
Phew! What a relief!
Keeping my phone inside the pocket of my go-wn, I combe-d my long hair , put on my sandals , picked up my hand bag and then walked out of the room to ha-rd in’s room …..
I entered his room to find him still slee-ping.
I smiled softly, he sure do like to sleep!
Closing the door gently, I walked towards him , trying ha-rd not to make a sound
I squ-atted beside him as I watch him sleep
Bye ha-rd in! I said in whispers as he stirred slightly in his sleep
he has been a little bit nicer ever since he told me he liked me as a maid but as for me, I was seriously hurting to know he sees me as a maid
Well! At least he doesn’t ignore me any longer , that is a great improvement !
Standing up , I turned to go when I heard him mumbled a word
Mum!
I looked at him in surprise
Mum! Did he just say mum! I have never heard him call his mother “mum” so why saying her name in his sleep?
obviously, he loves her but why is he being so cold to her? Did she wrong him in anyway? Is that why he is hurting?
Poor ha-rd in! I just hope and pray that he will be fine ! I wished; then gave him a long look before leaving his room
I was alre-ady missing him without even knowing the reason why !!!!
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I climbe-d down the stairs to the sitting room and got there just in time to hear Mrs Castillo tell the cook about a birthday p@rty
I am going to find a way to invite his clas-smates over to his birthday p@rty . I heard her say
What birthday p@rty? I wondered
Good morning ma! I greeted as she shifted her attention to me
Morning Hazel! I can see you are re-ady to leave . She said , seizing me up
Yes ma. I answered politely
And what of ha-rd in, have you checked on him this morning ? She asked
Yes ma, he is still slee-ping. I stated and she nodded
Good!
Opening her purse , she brou-ght out a wad of cash and handed it to me
I stared at the money in surprise, I thought my pay was supposed to be $500 but this is clearly more than my pay !!!!
And as if re-ading my thoughts, she said
That is a $800 , ha-rd in pleaded with me to give you some money to get new clothes so I added an extra $300 .
ha-rd in! I repeated to be sure I heard right
Yes, ha-rd in! I was surprised myself but I guess he probably noticed the rags you do put on . She said trying not to make it sound like an insult but yet I felt insulted
Erm Thanks very much ma. I said in appreciation
Oh! And lest I forget, ha-rd in will be 18 next Saturday so I will be nee-ding you to stay over
I8! I muttered
that is if it okay by you . She quic-kly added
Of course it is , I would love to spend the day with ha-rd in . I paused when I noticed her puzzled look and I chuckled nervously
I mean I would love to as-sist In the preparation so will he be celebr@ting it? I asked and she tilted her head sideways before answering
Well! I can’t really say , you know ha-rd in does not have friends but I will try do something about it
Okay ma!
Alright Hazel , see you on Monday. She said as she waved me off
I gave her a slight bow and walked out of the house to the taxi station
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Getting to the taxi station, I Flagged down a taxi and got in
Harmony hospital! I told the driver who nodded before driving off
I leaned in the seat as my mind drifted off to what Mrs Castillo said
ha-rd in pleaded with her to give me some money ! But why did he do that! Are my clothes that bad!
I sighed, he really does sees me as a maid and yes , I am his maid
The sound of my phone ringing disrupted my thoughts and I quic-kly brou-ght out the phone from my pocket
And on checking the caller , it was Mike
I received it
Hello Hazel! he greeted fast
Hi Mike, how are you? I asked
I am very fine , I could not sleep thinking about the dinner . he said and I laughed
Oh Mike! You are so funny! I remarked
No Hazel, I am damn serious. he retorted
Fine! Fine! Fine! So where should we meet?
Rolex h0tel , only if it is okay by you
Of course it is , Time? I asked
No, pick the time yourself . he said calmly
hmmh hmmmh … let meet up 7. I said after giving it some thought
Okay Hazel ! I will meet you in the h0tel by 7. he said and ended the call
Just then the car skidded to a halt and l looked out of the window to see the Large wordings of ” Harmony Hospital” on the upper wall of the hvge building
Oh yeah!
Alighting from the car , I paid the driver and then walked slowly to the gate as I looked around for my mum and Alexia
Hazel! I heard a familiar voice call and I looked in the direction to see Alexia running towards me
And on getting to me, she hvgged me ti-ghtly
I miss you Hazel. She said as I chuckled
I miss you too baby!
She pu-ll-ed out of the hvg and gave me a pla-yful glare
I have told you several times I am not your baby , that Castillo boy is . She said and my face flu-shed
Castillo boy! ha-rd in!
I smiled at the the thought of him slee-ping peacefully and quic-kly waved it off
Oh Hazel ! You are really crazy!
Alexia! plea-se Remind me of my age again. I pleaded and she stared at me in surprise
What is that for?
Just remind me plea-se . I repeated as she rolled her eyes
Fine! You are twenty one , any problem with it?
No! What of Mother? I asked , changing the subject
She is over at the waiting room.
And without saying anything else , I walked slowly throu-gh the hvge gate to the waiting room
You are twenty one! you are twenty one! You are twenty one! I kept on repeating
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The waiting room was almost empty when I got in so I easily sighted my mother
She was seated at an extreme corner with her eyes closed
Is she slee-ping? I wondered
I walked up to her with Alexia following behind me
Mum! I called , tapping her gently and her eyes fluttered opened
Hazel! When did we get here? she asked softly
Not quite long! So have you seen a doctor? I inquired but she shook her head
I was waiting for you, and now that you are here , we can go in
having said that , she stood up from the chair and walked towards the doctor office
Wait here ! I instructed Alexia before running to catch up with my mum …..:
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St©pping in front of the office, my mom knocked on the wooden door
Come in . A female voice answered and on pushing the door , we both walked in to see a slim woman seated behind the desk
Good afternoon ma’am! my mom greeted.
You can have you seat . She offered without looking at us and we did
She wrote something into a note and then looked up at us
So how can I help you? She asked , looking at me and then at my mom
I have a complain to make concerning my health. My mum answered and the woman nodded
Okay!
So I have being having this migraine which usually leads to dizzy spells and somethings shock . My mum explained to the doctor
Dizzy spell! Shock! And what have you done about it? the doctor continued and my mom glanced at me
Erm you see I do buy drugs in the chemist shop. My mum replied and the doctor stared at her in awe
Isn’t that self medication? She asked and without waiting for response, she continued
Don’t you know the risk in it ! It can even lead to a bigger problem
I know and that is why we are here . I bu-tted in
Yes Doctor, so what can we do? My mum supported me and the doctor sighed
Good! First of all , you will nee-d to carry out a test and that is when you are re-ady !
I exchange look with my mum, What does she mean by that ? Is she judging us because we look poor!
We are re-ady. I said aloud and she knitted her eyebrow
Fine! But you have to make a deposit first , do you have enough money ? She asked and I bit at my upperl-ips to st©p myself from yelling at her
Yes ! I answered in a surprisingly calm voice
Good!
Standing up , she signalled at my mom to go with her in which my mom rushingly did
Annoying fool! I cursed at her immediately she was out of sight , did she just try to mock us?
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In what seems like forever, the doctor soon returned to the office with my mom following behind her
So Mrs Dakota, you really nee-d to reduce your sugar intake . She said, sitting on her leather chair
I looked at her and then at my mom
What is wrong with you mom ? I asked and before could say anything, the doctor answered
HBP, she is suffering from a chronic high blood pressure but luckily , it is still in stage 1.She stated and I sighed in relief
I will commence the treatment once you make a deposit. She quic-kly added
Oh! And how much will that be ?
$600. She answered, writing something into a note
So expensive! I thought within
And without arguing, I unZi-pped my hand bag and brou-ght out the wad of cash
I counted out $600 and handed it to doctor as my mum eyes wi-de-ned in surprise….
Hazel! She called softly as I patted her hands
It is fine! I as-sured her
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ha-rd in Castillo
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Laying on my be-d , i was watching the television when I heard a knock on the door
Who could that be !
My mum doesn’t knock , neither does short Hazel !
Come in . I answered and the door creaked opened to reveal a chubby girl on white holding a tray
I frowned as I sat up on the be-d
Good morning sir ha-rd in! the girl greeted and I scoffed
Who the hell are you? I asked, shooting daggers at her
Erm I am Rebecca. She answered nervously as she placed the tray on a low stool beside me
I looked at the food and then looked back at her
And why are you here? What of Hazel? I asked , staring intently at her
Hazel has gone home , she only works on week days . She answered and I stared at her trying the digest what I just heard
Hazel my personal maid went home without telling me , why? I thought we were now getting along … well! not really getting along but at least I am a little bit free with her ….
Sir you have to eat else the food will get cold . The girl said snapping me out of my thoughts and I slowly shifted my gaze to her
I had completely forgotten someone like her was in my room!
And what are you still doing here? I asked but she did not answer instead, she sat on the be-d and win-ked at me s£dûçt!velyand that was when I noticed her cleavages were all out
I scoffed , Is she trying to s£dûç£me ?
Actually Sir ha-rd in I have been trying so ha-rd to get your attention but you ha-rd ly even spare me a glance. She stated and I stared blankly at her
She was clearly not my type but I was too damn too awe struck to think straight
All you nee-d to do is to spre-ad her as-s wi-de on the be-d and drill her ha-rd with all the anger in you . My subconsciousness screamed and I quic-kly waved it off
No ha-rd in don’t fall into temptation. another voice screamed in my head , it was as if both voices were mocking me
I bit at my lowerl-ips as I watched the girl open another bu-tton and that was it , I have had enough of the show
Get out . I barked at her and she flin-ched in surprise
But why, ain’t I beautiful? She asked and I smiled lightly
Of course you are but I don’t do desperate girls like you
What!
Get out . I repeated but this time with a growl and she quic-kly rushed out of the room ….
I exhaled de-eply, This is all fv¢ked up!
I really nee-d my maid , I really nee-d Hazel here ……….
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Hazel Dakota
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searching throu-gh the old worn out wardrobe, I sighed in frustration seeing I had no good clothes to wear for the dinner
Ooooooh! What will I do now? I said aloud, tapping my feet on the cemented floor
Just put on your black go-wn. Alexia who had been watching me suggested as I scratched my hair in confusion
But I wear that all the time . I said sadly and she shrugged
It does not mean sis! what matters is the fittings the go-wn give to your b©dy , you know you might be short but you have it all in the right places . She said with a wi-nk and i exhaled de-eply
My wages was all spent so I had no other option but to put it on ……
I brou-ght out the go-wn from my hand bag and spre-ad it out on the be-d
It was the only cloth I brou-ght along with me from the Castillo mansion!!!
Having done that , I rushed into the bathroom to shower and on returning to the room , I hurriedly dressed up in the go-wn
how do I look? I asked Alexia , staring at the mirror and she huffed
Why are you getting all worked up , it is just a dinner right or is there something you ain’t telling me ? She asked , giving me a puzzled look
Some thing like what!
She was quiet for a while and then asked
Do you like Mike?
hell no! I blurted out and without saying anything, she picked up a book and started re-ading
I sm-irked
She is crazy just like ha-rd in!no, ha-rd in is crazier
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Putting on my sandals , I gr@bb£d my handbag and blew Alexia a k!ssbefore walking out of the room
Have fun at the dinner . She called after me
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My mum was leaning in the sofa watching the television and I ti-ptoed to her and covered her eyes with my plan
She laughed
St©p it Hazel! She said weakly as I chuckled, giving myself away
With that tiny hands of yours, I can tell you are the one . She boasted and I smiled lightly
How are you feeling now? I asked
Very weak , the drip and injection really took a toll on me!!!!
Sorry mum , you will be alright. I as-sured and she nodded
I know! .. and lest I forget, how did you get the money you used In paying up the hospital bill? She asked and I smiled knowing she would ask
Mrs Castillo gave me an extra pay !
Your boss! And why would she do that? She asked as her eyes wi-de-ned in surprise
I don’t know . I lied , I couldn’t tell her the reason behind it because I know she will feel bad !
Oh! She exclaimed softly
Alright mum , I nee-d to be on my way now . I stated
Alright baby! Have fun!
I leaned over to pe-ck her before walking out of the house to the taxi station……
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Throu-ghout the drive to the h0tel , my mind was filled with the thought of ha-rd in
What will he be doing! Will he have eaten ! Did he feel my abs£nce! Of course he will feel it , I am his personal maid after all……
We are here ma’am. The driver announced distracting me from my thoughts and I looked out of the window to confirm; yes , he was right , we were right in front of Rolex h0tel
Opening the car door , I alighted from the car and paid him ; then climbe-d up the front stairs to the main building
I walked slowly into the building as I looked around for Mike and smiled when I saw him seated beside the exit door
I walked up to him and on seeing me , he flashed me a smile but I was lost staring at him to return the smile
Is this really Mike? I thought within
he looked so h0t in the transparent white polo he was putting on and Jeez! I never knew he had inks on his che-st …
Are you alright Hazel? he asked snapping me out of my thoughts and I quic-kly composed myself
Erm yes I am. I answered, sitting down opposite him and he chuckled
Is this about my tattoos? he asked and I nodded truthfully
I drew it when I was in London.he said and I g@sped in surprise
You lived in London? I asked with keen interest
Yes, I spent most of my teenage life there . he answered as he made signal to a waiter.
Wow! Interesting! then why did you come over to America? I continued
To start a new life. he answered bluntly and I looked out of the window not wanting to go dee-per in his personal life …..
The waiter soon c@m£ over to our table and we both placed our order
We both ordered the same thing, grilled chicken and fruit jui-ce
So what exactly do you want to tell me ? I suddenly asked and his face flu-shed
Yes erm actually you see erm Hazel I really like you . he stuttered and I went stiff
Like! Did he just like! No, it must be pu-lling my legs just like ha-rd in!
Damn! Why am I thinking of ha-rd in again! Focus Hazel …..
And I want you to be my girlfriend. he added and I shifted uneasily on the chair
I didn’t expect this so I was confused about how to handle it
plea-se say something Hazel. he begged and I sighed
Mike! I wasn’t expecting this and to tell you the truth, I am pas-sing throu-gh a lot and nee-d nob©dy to like me ……….
Except ha-rd in .my subconsciousness screamed but I waved it off
I un-derstand how you feel Hazel , but I am re-ady to give you all the time you nee-d to think about it . Mike stated
Just then, my phone rang and on checking the caller, it was Mrs Castillo
I bec@m£ alarmed , did anything happen to my ha-rd in ? …. wait! Did I just use “my”
Pathetic! I mumbled as I received the call
hello ma! I greeted first , expecting to hear a female voice but instead a male voice rang throu-gh
hello Hazel!
My heart skipped fas-ter
That voice , I could recognise it anywhere!
ha-rd in! I called softly and he scoffed
Why the hell did you leave without telling me?
Erm that was because you were slee-ping. I answered , picking my words
Oh !Too bad! I was planning on spending the weekend with you and also , I stole my mom phone to call you so you don’t nee-d to fv¢king tell her about the call….
Okay! But what do you mean …… he st©pped when I noticed the line was no longer connected….
He hung up the call on me!
Who is that? Mike asked , staring intently at me
A friend. I lied not knowing why I did so
Oh! he excitedly softly and then continued talking but I was half listening as I was lost thinking about ha-rd in ……
No Hazel! this is not right , you are twenty one (21) and he is ba-rely eighteen (18)
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TBC